Monday, December 12, 2011

Student Achievement Awards!



Here is a photo of our Student Achievement winners for last week!  These students were at school, on time everyday!  They turned in their homework on time and perfectly done.  They were safe, respectful and responsible; ensuring they were on task and completing their assignments and behaving according to the James John School expectations at all times.  Isn't that awesome?  Nice job everyone!  You are model students for others to see.  There are several students who were very close, but might have been late to school one day or forgotten to do one of their homework assignments.  Let's all get an award this week!


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Book Fair and Author Ann Cameron!












Today the students got to visit with Ms Ann Cameron, the author of some of the best books for young readers with her 'Julian and Huey' series.  We love them.  Ms Cameron shared her love of reading and writing and told how she started writing seriously when she was in 3rd grade.  She said she loves writing because it takes her places she never imagined she would go.  This all happened during Ms Rolfe's amazing James John Book Fair.  If you haven't come in to the Book Fair yet it will be open tomorrow until 7:00!  Thank you Ms Cameron for coming in and sharing your wonderful art with us all! 

Our 150 Point Free Recess!


The students used teamwork to earn their free recess yesterday. They accumulated 150 points over the last several weeks.  Way to go!  The points were gained by walking quietly in the hall, earning extra points from their PE teacher or librarian and having  excellent behavior in the cafeteria.  It took teamwork to make this happen and they did it!  Enjoy the photos from our time at the St John's Community Center Park.  

v










Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thank YOU parents and families and a note about the big R...READING! :)

A big thank you to the parents and family members who came to conferences last week.  It was great talking with you, sharing your child's learning and finding out more about your needs and how I can help you understand what we do here at school in 4th grade.

As I said to many family members, I encourage you to listen to your child read, talk about their reading and ask them questions about what they're reading. Advancing children across the reading continuum is our goal and although they might be reading for very long periods of time, finding out what are they reading and discovering if the book is 'just right' for them is very important.  To be 'just right' there needs to be a few words and phrases that challenge them as they read so they can increase their vocabulary and become better readers and thinkers.  Not too many words, it shouldn't be difficult to read.  If it is, then it is too hard and an easier book will be more appropriate for them.  Let me know if you have any questions about how to support your child in reading.  Reading is the key to every aspect of a child's learning and we love reading in Room 13!  Check out the pictures below.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  December 17th is the last day before Winter Break.  Room 13 is busy watching bones turn into rubber, drafting impossible, unimaginable events in their fantasy writing, discussing their novels in their book study groups and learning how to multiply large numbers using six different strategies.

Enjoy these crisp, fresh winter days!                   Ms Harold





Saturday, November 5, 2011

Bones and Skeletons are Everywhere!

This week in Rm 13 we continued to learn about Bones and Skeletons!  We even had a skeleton in math!  Yes, to better learn how to multiply, students create skeleton frames of multiplication sentences and then fill in the total number or product.  It is never a dull moment in Room 13.

In the computer lab we researched the human skeletal system and answered questions about how to take care of them and what their individual job is.  Did you know that our ribs are flexible and can expand as we breath? This   all goes well with the 'Healthy Eating' lesson we had last week from Lindfield College students that taught us that calcium which is so important to strong bones is in dairy products, but also in vegetables like broccoli and kale!  Yum!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Announcing our Fabulous Fourth Grade Blog!

Welcome to our blog.  Here is a place where you can catch up on all the amazing learning, exciting adventures and fabulous activities that take place in Room 13 every day.  I will try to update at least once a week and keep you informed of upcoming school events and opportunities for you to share in your child's learning.  I know how busy we can get so I hope this site will make being a parent at James John easier for you. Ms Harold